Survey launched in Tripura to increase fish output

To boost fish production in Tripura, the fisheries department has undertaken a statewide survey to identify non-functional water bodies which can be used for developing pisciculture, a minister said on Wednesday.
The northeastern state, where individual fish consumption stands at 19 kg on an average every year, produces 8,284 MT of fish annually against its annual demand of 1,11,714 MT.
The deficit is met from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Bangladesh.
At present, the state has functional water bodies for fish production spread over 37,957 hectares.
A target has been fixed to develop pisciculture in water bodies covering an area of 100 hectare.
“The demand for fish has increased from 96,454 MT in 2016-17 to 1,11,714 MT in 2022-23 in Tripura due to an increase in population and other factors. Likewise, fish production has also shot up from 72,271 MT to 82,084 MT,” Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das said at a press conference.
“In the course of review meetings, it came to light that there are several water bodies which are not being used for pisciculture. If the unused water bodies are made functional, fish production is likely to double in the state”, Das said.